Combined carrier and can opener

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a carrier and a plurality of containers having ends provided with tear-out portions, the carrier being constructed as a one-piece molded member having a plurality of openings in each of which is adapted to be disposed a container end, and each opening having a pull tab projecting radially therein and being secured to an associated container end whereby upon grasping the pull tab and pivoting the same in an appropriate manner the tear-out portions can be removed in the absence of conventional pull tabs or similar opening means.

United States Patent Mascia [451 May 23, 1972 s41 COMBINED CARRIER ANDCAN 3,258,288 6/1966 Courter.l "206/65 0 OPENER 3,362,572 1/1968 Pelley..220/54 2,371,521 3/1945 Heywood et al ..222/107 [721 Imam Camewestcheste" 3,379,334 4/1968 Young ..220/54 [73] Assignee: ContinentalCan Company, Inc., New

York, NY. Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, .lr. Filed: June 16, 1970Attorney-Diner, Brown, Ramlk & Holt [21] Appl. No.: 46,656 [57] ABSTRACTThis disclosure relates to a carrier and a plurality of containers [52]US. Cl. ..206/65 C, 21 1/74, 220/23.4, h i d rovided with tear-outportions, the carrier being 224/45 constructed as a one-piece moldedmember having a plurality [51 Int. Cl. ..B65d 17/00, B65d 85/62 fopenings in each f hi h is adapted to be disposed a [58] Field of Search..206/65 C, 65 E, 65 65 R; miner end, and each opening h i a pull tabprojecting radi- 220/54 23,4 103; 222/107; 294/872, 7- ll therein andbeing secured to an associated container end 224/45 45 45 BA wherebyupon grasping the pull tab and pivoting the same in an appropriatemanner the tear-out portions can be removed [56] Reterences (med in theabsence of conventional pull tabs or similar opening UNITED STATESPATENTS means Ligeour ..220/23.4

16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEBMY 23 I972 SHEET 1 or 2 INVENTORCARMEN T. MASUR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAY 23 I972 .ZEZEET 2 BF 2 III I III II 1/ I IIIIIlIgI m mydwwt ATTORNEYS INVENTOR CARM EN T. MQSClA COMBINEDCARRIER AND CAN OPENER Containers, such as .bottles or cans, arepackaged in a variety of carriers or cartons, one of which is theconventional basket-style carrier which includes a carrying handle alonga longitudinal center line of the can'ier and a plurality of containercompartments which are normally arranged in pairs to form well knownfour-pack, six-pack, etc. packages. Carriers of this type are generallyused to package glass or similar fragile containers, and are notnormally used for packaging metallic cans.

The wrap-around style carriers are generally constructed from paperstock or similar foldablev material, and are simply wrapped about aplurality of containers to again form fourpack, six-pack, etc. packages.Such wrap-around carriers are employed both for frangible andnonfrangible containers, be they bottles or cans, and can be used withor without longitudinal and transverse dividers.

More recently metallic containers of the so-called easy opening typehave been packaged in carriers formed from apertured heat-shrinkableplastic material. In this case the containers are simply inserted intothe apertures of the sheet material, the sheet material is then heated,and the material thereby shrinks to adequately grip the containers topermit the same to be carried by the carrier in four-pack, six-pack etc.arrangements.

Each of the conventional carriers just described has proved relativelyefficient for its only purpose, namely, to provide a package for apredetermined number of bottles, cans or similar containers. Apart fromperforming this function and the ancillary function of maintaining thecontainers in longitudinal and transverse spaced relationship in someinstances, conventional carriers are in no way otherwise associated in afunctional manner with their associated containers.

In keeping with this invention, a primary object thereof is to provide anovel package which includes a carrier and a plurality of containers,the containers having ends provided with conventional tearout portionsor tear strips but being devoid of conventional pull tabs, the carrierincludes means for securing the pull tab portions integrally formed fromthe material of the carrier to the tear-out portions of the can endswhereby the tear-out portions can be removed in the absence ofconventional pull tabs or similar opening devices by simplyapplying arelative opening force between the carrier pull tabs and the containers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carrier of thetype just described wherein the carrier is constructed from a memberhaving a plurality of openings in each of which is adapted to bedisposed a can end, each carrier pull tab projects radially into eachopening, and each pull tab is secured in overlying relationship to anassociated tear-out portion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carrier and/orpackage of the type heretofore described wherein each pull tab portionis hingeably connected to the carrier proper adjacent each opening,andeach pull tab has an opening interlockably secured to an integrallyformed river of each can and/or container end.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claimed subjectmatter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a top perspective view of a novel package constructed inaccordance with this invention, and illustrates a carrier to which isinterlockably secured a plurality of containers with each containerincluding a line of weakness defining a tear-out portion, and thecarrier including a plurality of openings in each of which is disposed apull tab portion hinged at one end to the carrier and secured at itsopposite end to the tear-out portion.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the package of FIG. 1,and illustrates the manner in which one of the pull tab portions of thecarrier is grasped and pivoted to apply an opening force to theassociated tear-out portion causing the partial and/or total removalthereof.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the carrier, and illustrates six annularwalls outboard of each of which are four lugs for releasably securingthe cans or containers .to the carrier.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3, and illustrates means for interlockably securing each containerto an associated opening by a releasable snap connection between thecarrier and the double seams of the containers.

FIG. 5 is'a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line5-5 of FIG. 4, and more clearly illustrates the connection between thepull tab portions and the tear-out portions, as well as the manner inwhich a pull tab portion of the carrier is pivotally hinged to open itsassociated tear-out portion.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the encircledportion of FIG. 5, and more clearly illustrates the hinge connectionbetween one of the pull tab portions and its associated tearout portion.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongline 7-7 of FIG. 3, and'more clearly illustrates the manner in which thecarrier is snap-secured to the container double seams.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 5, andmore clearly illustrates the relationship between a.

pull tab portion and the underlying tear-out portion of the associatedcontainer end.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the container ends andits associated pull tab portion prior to assembly, and illustrates aheaded boss or rivet of the end to which is secured the apertured pulltab portion.

A novel package constructed in accordance with this invention is bestillustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, and is generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10. The package 10 includes acarrier 11 and a plurality of containers C. Six such containers C areillustrated to form a six-pack package 10, although it is to beunderstood that more or less than this number may be provided as desiredwith'the carrier 11 modified accordingly.

The containers or cans C are of a conventional construction and eachincludes a body 12 which may be of a one-piece construction formed by aconventional extruding and wall-ironing operation. As an alternative, abottom end (not shown) may be secured to each body 12 by a conventionalbottom double seam 13. An upper end 14 (FIG. 8) is likewise secured toeach can body 12 by a double seam l5 (FIGSQ6 and 7). The end 14 isprovided with a line of weakness 16 (FIGS. 6 and 8) setting off atear-out portion 17 of a rounded triangular configuration. The line ofweakness or score line 16 is formed in a conventional manner with itslongitudinal axis disposed generally radially to the can body 12 and theends thereof. At approximately the axis of the can end 14 the materialfrom which the can 14 is constructed is formed into an integral hollowrivet 18 (FIG. 9) which includes a reduced neck-20 and an enlargedhemispherical head 21 which terminates at a radial shoulder 22.

The carrier 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is preferably constructed as a unitaryone-piece member by an appropriate molding opera tion, and isconstructed from polymeric or copolymeric material. The carrier 11includes an upper wall 23 of a flat uniplanar configuration (FIG. 4) andincludes two circular openings 24, 25 which define finger holds forgrasping and carrying the package 10. The outer periphery of the carrier11 is of a generally undulating configuration (FIG. 3) and includes aperipheral edge 26 (FIG. 6) which projects beyond the outermostperipheries of the double seams I5. Projecting downwardly from theflange 26, as well as downwardly from inboard portions of the carrierwall 23, are a plurality of snapsecuring means each of which isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 27 (FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8).Each of the means 27 includes a peripheral wall 28 and a radiallyinwardly directed flange 30, the latter of which engages beneath thedouble seams in the manner self evident from FIG. 7.

The snap securing means 27 are outboard of a plurality of cylindrical ortubular wall portions 31 projecting downwardly from the top wall 23.There are six such walls 31 (FIG. 3) and four securing means 27associated with each wall 31. Thus, each container C is held positivelybut releasably secured to the carrier 11 by the interlocked relationshipof its double seam 15 with its associated wall 31 and four of thesecuring means 27 (FIGS. 3 and 8). The walls 31 thereby define sixopenings, each generally designated by the reference numeral 32 throughwhich each can end 14 is exposed or disposed (FIG. 3).

During the molding of the carrier 11 pull tabs or pull tab portions 33are integrally formed therewith with each pull tab portion 33 beingdisposed in a generally horizontal plane parallel to but below the topwall 23, in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 6. Each pull tab portion33 is connected by a hinge 34 to each wall 31 adjacent its bottomterminal edge (unnumbered), as is best illustrated in FIG. 6. Transversepairs of the pull tab portions 33 are in general alignment with eachother, and the longitudinal axes of all of the pull tab portions 33 arepositioned radially with respect to the associated containers C and inalignment with the longitudinal axes of the tear-out portions 17 (FIG.8). Each pull tab portion 33 is provided with a finger-gripping roundedterminal end portion 35 and an opening 36 which is generally circularand is appreciably smaller than the enlarged head 21 of the rivet 18(FIG. 9). However, the material from which the carrier 11 is constructedis both deformable and reboundable. Thus, as each opening 36 is forcedover an associated enlargement 21, the material adjacent the openingwill distend causing the opening to spread until it passes over thelargest diameter of the enlarged head 21. Once passing thereover thematerial will rebound with the edge of each opening 36 now intimatelyengaging the outer surface of each neck with the upper surface of eachpull tab portion adjacent each opening 36 underlying the wall 22, in themanner best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. In this manner eachpull tab portion 33 is secured to an associated one of the tear-outportions 17.

When it is desired to remove any of the tear-out portions 17 of any ofthe containers C, the terminal end portion 35 of the selected pull tabportion 33 is grasped and pivoted in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2which is in a direction toward the hinge connections 34. This pivotingaction of the pull tab portions imparts an opening force to the startingend (unnumbered) of the tear-out portion 17 adjacent the rivet 21resulting in the rupture thereat and the progressive rupture along thescore line 16 until the entire tear-out portion 17 has been removed fromany one of the ends 14. The selected container may now be removed simplyby pulling the same outwardly from the securing means 27 which aresufficiently resilient to deflect outwardly to permit the removal ofeach of the cans C. Once removed it will be noted that the tear-outportion 17 remains with the carrier 11 and cannot be discarded whichprevents present hazards of conventionally removed pull tabs andtear-out portions which in most cases are merely discarded in anindiscriminate manner. However, in keeping with this invention if it isdesired to remove each pull tab 33 and its associated tear-out portion17 after the latter has been removed from a can end 14, this may bereadily done by merely tearing the pull tab portion 33 across thethinner and weaker hinge connections 34.

In the event it is desired to remove any one of the containers C fromthe package 10 prior to removing the associated tearout portion 17 inthe manner heretofore described, the top wall 23 of the carrier 11 ispreferably provided with a longitudinal weakening line 40 (FIG. 3) and apair of transverse weakening lines 41, 42. Due to the weakening lines40, 41 and 42 any one or any selected number of the containers .C can beremoved from the package 10 merely by selectively breaking the top wall23 along the weakening lines 40, 41 and/or 42.

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown inillustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that variouschanges in details and arrangement of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

I claim:

1. In a package of the type defined by a carrier and a plurality ofcontainers having ends provided with tear-out portions, the improvementcomprising means for directly securing the carrier to each tear-outportion in absence of conventional pull tabs or similar conventionalmanual gripping means whereby an opening force can be applied to thetear-out portions through the securing means to remove the tear-outportions in the absence of conventional pull tabs or similar openingdevices, and said securing means being hingeably connected to saidcarrier whereby pivotal movement imparted to said securing means resultsin the tearing of said tear-out portions.

2. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier and securingmeans are of a one-piece molded construction.

3. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes anopening overlying each container end, and each securing means isdisposed within an associated opening.

4. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes aplurality of pull tab portions secured to each tear-out portion by saidsecuring means, each tear-out portion is defined by a line of weakness,and said securing means are each positioned at least in part within thearea set off by said line of weakness.

5. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes aplurality of pull tab portions secured to each tear-out portion by saidsecuring means, and each securing means is defined by an aperture formedin one of said container end and pull tab portion interlocked with rivetmeans of the other of said container end and pull tab portion.

6. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes aplurality of pull tab portions secured to each tear-out portion by saidsecuring means, said pull tab portion and tearout portion are disposedin overlying relationship with longitu dinal axes thereof in coincidentrelationship.

7. The package as defined in claim 3 wherein said carrier includes aplurality of pull tab portions secured to each tear-out portion by saidsecuring means, and each pull tab portion is disposed within anassociated one of said openings.

8. The package as defined in claim 7 wherein each securing means isdefined by an aperture formed in one of said container end and pull tabportion interlocked with rivet means of the other of said container endand pull tab portion.

9. The package as defined in claim 8 wherein said pull tab portions andtear-out portions are disposed in overlying relationship withlongitudinal axes thereof in coincident relationship.

10. A carrier for a plurality of containers having ends provided withtear-out portions comprising a member having a plurality of openingswithin each of which is adapted to be disposed a container end, meansfor securing each container to said member with its end disposed withinan associated opening, a pull tab portion integrally formed from thematerial of said member hingeably connected to said member at eachopening and projecting therein, and means remote from said hingedconnection for directly securing each pull tab portion directly to anassociated tear-out portion in the absence of conventional pull tabs orsimilar conventional manual gripping means.

11. The carrier as defined in claim 10 wherein said securing means isdisposed between each hinge connection and a terminal finger-grippingend of each of said pull tab portions.

12. The carrier as defined in claim 10 wherein said pull tab portionshave longitudinal axes disposed radially with respect to said containerends.

13. The carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said pull tab portionshave longitudinal axes disposed radially with respect to said containerends.

14. The carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said securing means is anopening through each pull tab portion.

member at each opening and projecting therein, means remote from saidhinged connection for securing pull tab portion directly to anassociated tear-out portion, and said securing means being defined byaperture means for interlockingly receiving a projection of eachtear-out portion.

1. In a package of the type defined by a carrier and a plurality ofcontainers having ends provided with tear-out portions, the improvementcomprising means for directly securing the carrier to each tear-outportion in absence of conventional pull tabs or similar conventionalmanual gripping means whereby an opening force can be applied to thetear-out portions through the securing means to remove the tear-outportions in the absence of conventional pull tabs or similar openingdevices, and said securing means being hingeably connected to saidcarrier whereby pivotal movement imparted to said securing means resultsin the tearing of said tear-out portions.
 2. The package as defined inclaim 1 wherein said carrier and securing means are of a one-piecemolded construction.
 3. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcarrier includes an opening overlying each container end, and eachsecuring means is disposed within an associated opening.
 4. The packageas defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a plurality of pulltab portions secured to each tear-out portion by said securing means,each tear-out portion is defined by a line of weakness, and saidsecuring means are each positioned at least in part within the area setoff by said line of weakness.
 5. The package as defined in claim 1wherein said carrier includes a plurality of pull tab portions securedto each tear-out portion by said securing means, and each securing meansis defined by an aperture formed in one of said container end and pulltab portion interlocked with rivet means of the other of said containerend and pull tab portion.
 6. The package as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid carrier includes a plurality of pull tab portions secured to eachtear-out portion by said securing means, said pull tab portion andtear-out portion are disposed in overlying relationshIp withlongitudinal axes thereof in coincident relationship.
 7. The package asdefined in claim 3 wherein said carrier includes a plurality of pull tabportions secured to each tear-out portion by said securing means, andeach pull tab portion is disposed within an associated one of saidopenings.
 8. The package as defined in claim 7 wherein each securingmeans is defined by an aperture formed in one of said container end andpull tab portion interlocked with rivet means of the other of saidcontainer end and pull tab portion.
 9. The package as defined in claim 8wherein said pull tab portions and tear-out portions are disposed inoverlying relationship with longitudinal axes thereof in coincidentrelationship.
 10. A carrier for a plurality of containers having endsprovided with tear-out portions comprising a member having a pluralityof openings within each of which is adapted to be disposed a containerend, means for securing each container to said member with its enddisposed within an associated opening, a pull tab portion integrallyformed from the material of said member hingeably connected to saidmember at each opening and projecting therein, and means remote fromsaid hinged connection for directly securing each pull tab portiondirectly to an associated tear-out portion in the absence ofconventional pull tabs or similar conventional manual gripping means.11. The carrier as defined in claim 10 wherein said securing means isdisposed between each hinge connection and a terminal finger-grippingend of each of said pull tab portions.
 12. The carrier as defined inclaim 10 wherein said pull tab portions have longitudinal axes disposedradially with respect to said container ends.
 13. The carrier as definedin claim 11 wherein said pull tab portions have longitudinal axesdisposed radially with respect to said container ends.
 14. The carrieras defined in claim 11 wherein said securing means is an opening througheach pull tab portion.
 15. The carrier as defined in claim 13 whereinsaid securing means is an opening through each pull tab portion.
 16. Acarrier for a plurality of containers having ends provided with tear-outportions comprising a member having a plurality of openings within eachof which is adapted to be disposed a container end, a pull tab portionintegrally formed from the material of said member hingedly connected tosaid member at each opening and projecting therein, means remote fromsaid hinged connection for securing pull tab portion directly to anassociated tear-out portion, and said securing means being defined byaperture means for interlockingly receiving a projection of eachtear-out portion.